Collapsible bag

Abstract

A storage and travel bag includes a collapsible bag having an enclosure defined by a bottom panel, a first end panel, a spaced second end panel, a front panel, a back panel and a top panel, wherein the first end panel, second end panel, front panel, back panel and top panel are movable between a collapsed position and an uncollapsed position. A support structure is disposed within the enclosure and configured to be movable between a supporting position, wherein the support structure supports at least one of the first end panel, second end panel, front panel, back panel and top panel in an uncollapsed position, and a collapsed position, wherein the first end panel, second end panel, front panel, back panel and top panel are movable to respective collapsed positions.

1 . A storage and travel bag comprising:
 a collapsible bag having an enclosure defined by a bottom panel, a first end panel, a spaced second end panel, a front panel, a back panel and a top panel, wherein the first end panel, second end panel, front panel, back panel and top panel are movable between a collapsed position and an uncollapsed position;   an ingress to the enclosure; and   a support structure disposed within the enclosure, at least a portion of the support structure movable between a supporting position, wherein the support structure supports at least one of the first end panel, second end panel, front panel, back panel and top panel in an uncollapsed position, and a collapsed position, wherein the first end panel, second end panel, front panel, back panel and top panel are movable to respective collapsed positions.   
     
     
         2 . The bag of  claim 1  wherein a portion of the support structure is coupled to the bottom panel. 
     
     
         3 . The bag of  claim 1  wherein the support structure comprises a base panel and at least one wing panel coupled to the base panel, wherein each wing panel is movable between a supporting position and a collapsed position. 
     
     
         4 . The bag of  claim 3  wherein at least one wing panel supports at least one of the first end panel, second end panel, front panel, back panel and top panel in an uncollapsed position when the at least one wing is in the supporting position. 
     
     
         5 . The bag of  claim 3  wherein the supporting structure comprises a first wing panel and a second wing panel. 
     
     
         6 . The bag of  claim 5  wherein the first wing panel supports at least one of the front panel and top panel in respective uncollapsed positions when the first wing panel is the supporting position, and wherein the second wing panel supports at least one of the rear panel and top panel in respective uncollapsed positions when second wing panel is in the supporting position. 
     
     
         7 . The bag of  claim 6  wherein the first wing panel is releasably coupleable to the front panel when the first wing panel is in the supporting position, and wherein the second panel is releasably coupleable to the rear panel when the second wing panel is in the supporting position. 
     
     
         8 . The bag of  claim 7  wherein the first wing panel is releasably coupleable to the front panel via at least one of a clamp, a hook and loop fastener, a tie, a button, a hook, a snap, and adhesive, and wherein the second wing panel is releasably coupleable to the rear panel via at least one of a clamp, a hook and loop fastener, a tie, a button, a hook, a snap, and adhesive. 
     
     
         9 . A method for using a storage and travel bag, the method comprising:
 providing a storage and travel bag, the bag comprising:
 a collapsible bag having an enclosure defined by a bottom panel, a first end panel, a spaced second end panel, a front panel, a back panel and a top panel, wherein the first end panel, second end panel, front panel, back panel and top panel are movable between a collapsed position and an uncollapsed position; 
 an ingress to the enclosure; and 
 a support structure disposed within the enclosure, at least a portion of the support structure movable between a supporting position, wherein the support structure supports at least one of the first end panel, second end panel, front panel, back panel and top panel in an uncollapsed position, and a collapsed position, wherein the first end panel, second end panel, front panel, back panel and top panel are movable to respective collapsed positions; 
   moving the first end panel, second end panel, front panel, back panel and top panel from respective collapsed positions to respective uncollapsed positions; and   moving at least a portion of the support structure from the collapsed position to the supporting position wherein at least one of the first end panel, second end panel, front panel, back panel and top panel are supported in an uncollapsed position.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein a portion of the support structure is coupled to the bottom panel. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the support structure comprises a base panel and at least one wing panel coupled to the base panel, wherein each wing panel is movable between a supporting position and a collapsed position. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the step of moving at least a portion of the support structure from the collapsed position to the supporting position comprises moving at least one wing panel from a collapsed position to a supporting position. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein at least one wing panel supports at least one of the first end panel, second end panel, front panel, back panel and top panel in an uncollapsed position when the at least one wing is in the supporting position. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the supporting structure comprises a first wing panel and a second wing panel. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the first wing panel supports at least one of the front panel and top panel in respective uncollapsed positions when the first wing panel is the supporting position, and wherein the second wing panel supports at least one of the rear panel and top panel in respective uncollapsed positions when second wing panel is in the supporting position.